mini system recommendations

[adrianmariano]

I want to put together a system for under $1000 that fits on a counter 12" deep and 36" wide, which can play CDs and includes an HD radio receiver. I don't need a lot of volume out of this system.

I was considering the Polk I-Sonic ($600), but all the reliability problems are discouraging, and I got to wondering if I'd be better off putting together a system some other way. But that 12" depth seems to be extremely limiting. I can hardly find anything that would fit on my 12" counter. I noticed that NAD has a receiver C315BEE and CD player C515BEE that aren't very deep. And I think there's a Denon mini system (F101S) that would fit. But I haven't managed to find anything else.

Anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

I looked around a bit and didn't stumble across any great suggestions for units that have both CD and HD radio. One thing that comes to mind is that you could combine an HD radio system with a separate CD or DVD player (or a CD/DVD system with a separate HD radio tuner). That would give you more options.

For example, you could combine this Sony HD radio system that's under $150 with an inexpensive CD or DVD player like this Panasonic that is under $100. I'm not endorsing either product, just giving some examples.

Adam

 

[Seth=L]

How about something like what's in my signature?

 

[adrianmariano]

Thanks for your response.

I had considered the possibility of the Polk Isonic 2 with a separate CD player, since many of the complains with the isonic seem to relate to its CD player (e.g. it clicks or makes noise).

I took a look at the Panasonic that you listed to see if it meets my dimension requirements, and found that I can't tell for sure. (Panasonic says the depth is less than 2 inches...and oncall says it's 11 1/16". Neither of these seems right. I'm guessing it's really 9 7/16" would would be a good fit.)

Suppose I got an HD radio, be it the isonic or the sony or whatever. Would it be reasonable to stack the radio on top of a CD player like the panasonic? (The isonic is 10" deep and 14" wide.) I read something on the NAD page about some device of theirs self destructing if you put anything on top of it because it needed the ventillation.

 

[adrianmariano]

How about something like what's in my signature?

Is that shallow enough to fit on a 12" counter? (I couldn't find specs, and the other TEAC reference devices currently listed appear to be too deep.)

 

[Adam]

You should have no problems stacking a mini system on top of a CD or DVD player in terms of overheating the CD/DVD player. That's a concern more for stacking on top of things that generate a lot of heat (so, things with amplifiers such as receivers).

The Panasonic was just an example. There are a lot of single-disc DVD players out there, many of which should fit on your shelf just fine. I'd recommend a DVD player because (a) they can play CDs just fine and (b) they are a lot easier to find these days compared to a CD player. You could also use a portable CD or DVD player if you wanted - those are pretty small.

 

[adrianmariano]

I must say that the idea of looking at DVD players somehow did not occur to me at all. I find it counter-intuitive that DVD players (which ostensibly do more) are smaller. But I just looked around a bit and I seem to observe that it's not too hard to find small DVD players and it seems rather more difficult to find small CD players. (I do want something that isn't too portable, something that gives the feeling of a permanent, static installation, or my small children will probably either drop it on the floor or run off with it.) Does the choice of the CD/DVD player have significant impact on the sound quality of a system like this? (In other words, will it limit me, or am I limited by the amp/speakers of the mini system?)

Is there any worry in stacking that the weight of the mini system could damage the DVD player, or that vibration from the speakers on the mini system could interfere with the operation of the DVD player?

If you go to onkyousa and look up the DV-SP405 DVD player (I would have linked but the system won't let me post a URL) its feature indicates that there is no analog audio output. In fact, if I'm reading this right there's no audio output at all. Am I reading that right? The panasonic dvd player has "2ch audio output" which I assume would be the right thing to connect to the I-Sonic ES2 "aux input".

 

[Adam]

Just a quick note before I leave to walk the dog:

That Onkyo does have analog (and digital) audio outputs. I just took a quick look at the picture of the rear panel. You can see the output jacks on the back.

In terms of weight, I use to place my receiver on top of my CD changer. The receiver was probably about 20 pounds, but I can look into that when I get back.

Your choice of DVD player will likely not affect the audio quality through that mini system much, if at all. Perhaps if you were to buy a $10 Walmart special, but any major brand should sound just fine.

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/1912.asp

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=451770&CTID=5002800

 

[mazersteven]

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=321gs_dvd_index

 

[Midcow2]

Don't agree with Bose recommendation !

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_PRODUCT_PAGE_EVENT&product=321gs_dvd_index

I can't believe it, Mazersteven, you are actually recommending a Bose HTIB system to someone!

I do not agree with this recommendation! For $999 there are much, much better systems. OP you might look at what Audioholic offers:
http://store.audioholics.com/section/80/1/home-theater-in-a-box

While I don't have direct experience with this partucular system, I think at $799 the Yamaha YHT-790 5.1 Channel Home Theater in a Box System would be a much better system:
http://store.audioholics.com/product/1761/80/yamaha-yht-790-5-1-channel-home-theater-in-a-box-system

 

[adrianmariano]

<bose system link>

I thought Bose was supposed to be mediocre.

 

[adrianmariano]

http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=451770&CTID=5002800

This one is 14" deep so it wouldn't fit. The other Yamaha "theater in a box" that was listed I didn't see the depth of the actual unit, but there sure are a lot of extra speakers, and if I'm not confused the main ones are 2 feet tall which wouldn't fit either. (I didn't mention this constraint, but I don't have unlimited overheat space, maybe something like 18 inches.)

Leaning towards getting the polk isonic 2 and a separate cd/dvd player. Any reason not to do this? The only other option I've seen so far is the denon mini system which would then require an additional HD radio and so it would be about $250 more. Is it likely to be markedly better? (I've seen some pretty good reviews of the sound from the isonic.)

 

[Midcow2]

A much better answer to your original question

I want to put together a system for under $1000 that fits on a counter 12" deep and 36" wide, which can play CDs and includes an HD radio receiver. I don't need a lot of volume out of this system.

I was considering the Polk I-Sonic ($600), but all the reliability problems are discouraging, and I got to wondering if I'd be better off putting together a system some other way. But that 12" depth seems to be extremely limiting. I can hardly find anything that would fit on my 12" counter. I noticed that NAD has a receiver C315BEE and CD player C515BEE that aren't very deep. And I think there's a Denon mini system (F101S) that would fit. But I haven't managed to find anything else.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Okay, going back to your original post, the Sony XDR-S3HD HD Radio provides very good HD and has very good sound quality. I have this particular HD radio and it is excellent!
You can purchase it for as low as $99 .
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/497444-REG/Sony_XDR_S3HD_XDR_S3HD_HD_Radio_Receiver.html

Weights and Measurements
Dimensions (Approx.) : 11-7/8 x 4-3/4 x 6-3/4"

Weight (Approx.) : 7 lb 15.8 oz (3.6 kg)

Speaker
Speaker Dimensions : 6.6cm (2-5/8”) diameter

Speaker System : 4 ohm- Full range 2.6 inch stereo speakers and cancel magnet system

Convenience
Date/Time Stamp : 12 hour clock


It has Auxillary input line-in jack for a mini phono audio plug
which you could attach an iPod or a CD player. To connect ot a CD player you would need a cable such as : RCA to 3.5 mm mini-phono. http://www.adorama.com/HOCMR210.html?sid=1220630392284463

Buy an inexpensive CD player of your choice and stack the Sony on top.

The only negative about the radio is that is plugs into the wall and there is a fairly large ( guessing probably 4" x 4" x 6") which then is connected to the radio by another 3-4 ft electrical cord.

Here is a possible Cd player, OPPO DV-970HD for $149.95: http://store.asiastarusa.com/dvd1.html But any CD player with RCA output jacks Left(white) right(red) would work.

Good Luck!

 

[Adam]

Thanks, MidCow2. That's the Sony system that I pointed out in post #2, but I don't have any experience with it. I'm glad to see that someone here can comment on how well it performs. Thanks!

I didn't go the Oppo route in my recommendations. Nothing against the brand - people like them. Wouldn't be my pick for a music only system, though, just because of cost and the need to order it.

I looked at the Bose systems yesterday. Hey, say what you will, a lot of people like them. However, they don't have HD radio (at least that I saw) and are fairly expensive - two strikes against, IMO.

Adam

 

[adrianmariano]

Okay, going back to your original post, the Sony XDR-S3HD HD Radio provides very good HD and has very good sound quality. I have this particular HD radio and it is excellent!
You can purchase it for as low as $99 .

Thanks for the recommendation. If it matters, this will be our primary audio system that we'll use as much for CDs as for the radio.

In a private message someone suggested that a component system would be better than an integrated system. I was curious to note that the Absolute Sound review of the isonic included the claim that the isonic beat the reviewer's system of separates. Is this an unbelievable claim?

Here's a link to the review: http://www.avguide.com/file-download?review=2354http://www.avguide.com/file-download?review=2354

The isonic is on sale for $100 off so I basically have to decide in haste if I want to get it with the discount. I'd rather not be pressured.

 

[Midcow2]

Thanks, MidCow2. That's the Sony system that I pointed out in post #2, but I don't have any experience with it. I'm glad to see that someone here can comment on how well it performs. Thanks!

I didn't go the Oppo route in my recommendations. Nothing against the brand - people like them. Wouldn't be my pick for a music only system, though, just because of cost and the need to order it.

I looked at the Bose systems yesterday. Hey, say what you will, a lot of people like them. However, they don't have HD radio (at least that I saw) and are fairly expensive - two strikes against, IMO.

Adam

Adams ,

Thanks for you feedback. Yes I got the Sony HD adio and it was so good that my son took it and decided it was going to be his ipod docking station. Ver ynice weight and speaker size for a radio! And concerning Bose, I still wake up to a Bose radio LOL. I thought I had saw someone mentioned the Sony; Adam thanks for first pointing it out!

Now I am going ot go for a CCRANE radio for the office to replace my archaic GE Superradio II. My current short list is http://www.ccrane.com/radios/am-fm-radios/ccradio-plus/index.aspx?refid=EN090000KA000000 or another Sony ? H'mm

 

[Midcow2]

Great Price on HD radio

The Sony XDR-S3HD HD Radio is on sale this weekend at Fry's for $49.95

$149.95 - $50 instant rebate - $50 mail-in rebate = $49.95

 

[adrianmariano]

If you get a DVD player to play CDs only can you access all the relevant functions without an attached TV? I was reading the manual for the Onkyo and it appeared that some functions such as shuffle and repeat made use of menus on the TV. (It's a little hard to be absolutely certain.)